Metro Spirit Newsletter

Venmo Offers a Way to Touch Someone

Over the past few weeks, a couple of articles appeared citing clever ways people had used the digital wallet to make a point, or better yet, lift someone up.

Mets fans who were pissed off at their beloved team’s notoriously poor management had begun sending money to the Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen to use towards running the team.

In another example, a story appeared that discussed the habit of young campaign workers to share cash with those whose candidate just threw in the towel, effectively ending their jobs immediately.

“Welcome to the unseen and surprise Venmo economy of collapsed campaigns in 2020, where political operatives have been, for months, sending drinking money digitally to their friends, former colleagues and rivals using the money-transferring app.”

From the New York Time’s article

Venmo works by linking with your bank account and (optionally) a credit or debit card.

Transactions made with either your bank account, debit card, or with your Venmo balance are free, while a standard 3 percent fee is added to credit card transactions. Venmo uses encryption to keep transactions and app data secure.

“The first one I got was when Beto dropped out,” said Aleigha Cavalier, who was former Representative Beto O’Rourke’s national press secretary. Her friend, Hannah Bristol, a Warren aide, sent her an unsolicited $10 that day (“For a drink or Nutella”).

Aleigha Cavalier

If someone is weighing on your mind, this may be a good idea for you. Download the app on your phone and link it to your credit card. It’s that simple. A simple search function helps you find people easily.